Is this potentially the last home-series of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Pagla)??

If Pagla plans to retire after the CT17, is this potentially the last home series of Mashrafe? I myself really hope not. How old is he? 33? Most famous fast bowlers of the subcontinent retires around the age of 36-38. And that also is the "official" age of most Pakistani fast bowlers, where the real/biological age is like 2/3 years more. But I know as a fact that Mashrafe Bin Mortaza Koushik's official age is his real/biological age. I personally think the way Mashrafe's fitness improved over the last year, he can play until WC19 just only by his bowling capabilities...not counting the value he brings in the team as captain. Still he is the best Seam bowler in the side (first choice among our pacers). In WC19 even if he becomes 3rd choice by bowling quality, still he will have a place in the team as a first change seamer; not considering his value as captain. And if we count the value he brings as the Captain, he'll be the number one name on any Bangladeshi LOI team-list until WC19.

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I hope not but looking at how he was putting his hands on knees so much in today's match it's difficult to say anything. However I hope he finishes on a high whenever he decides to call it an end to his wonderful career. Best of luck mash, a living legend, lion heart, wonderful human being... best wishes for your health & family... and a big thank you for giving us so much to cheer

Nope. Mash should be stopped from stepping down by the PM, if he decides to go after CT 17. He is getting better as a bowler and on bouncy seaming condition he will do even better. So, I see Mash can take BD till 2019. But for that Mash has to not play some low key series especially if it's against the associates, it's better he avoids such series. Keeps himself fresh.

Originally Posted by Eshen
He is always just another injury away from retirement, so hard to say.

Personally, I will like next home series in July next year, against Pakistan, to be his farewell series. Afterwards, Riyad should be given charge to settle into his role by WC'19.

Even I think Riyad is probably the second best choice as a captain after Mash but his body language looks so bad at times especially when fielding, probably the worse I have seen amongst all the cricketers ever played

First of all, I love Mash as a leader and a bowler. Always have been a fan of his bowling sans death overs.

I believe that, he should play till the CT 2017 and finally play a finale series against Pakistan in June 2017. Obviously, he can play for a few more years than that, but lets be honest, this is international cricket. We cannot afford to have a half fit player in the side. In a year Mashrafe will have more pressure on his knees and this would hurt both his fielding and bowling. He will become a liability. If he can maintain his ability then fine, but today I saw how tough it was for this man.

I think he should call it a day from International cricket when he feels he is not worth it + whether he feels its too difficult to go on.

on a recent interview he did (forgot which newspaper), he said that most of the on-field decision he takes is kind of whimsical, he just have a gut feeling that if he does this it will work and most of times it has worked.

on the same interview he said, he will follow the same pattern about his retirement. One morning he gets up and will decide to call it a day.

The day he retires is gonna be the most emotional day for me in terms of cricket. Even thinking about it hurts.

It all depends on his body. Some matches, it seems like he can continue forever and sometimes it seems like this may be it. I think his knee problems get worse when he plays back to back matches with only 2-3 days break in between. For now, the best solution for him and the team would be to start grooming another captain. Mullah or Shakib could be given a chance to lead the series against smaller teams such as Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, West Indies etc while Mash takes over against the bigger teams. That way the other captain(s) can get used to the team and the position.

Originally Posted by mehedi
Even I think Riyad is probably the second best choice as a captain after Mash but his body language looks so bad at times especially when fielding, probably the worse I have seen amongst all the cricketers ever played

Very good observation about Riyad. The way he carries on when the chips are down . He looks like a child sobbing about not getting picked to bowl.

If not Riyad, then who would be the other candidates? Surely not other past captains like Shakib or Mushy... Perhaps a new up and coming player like Mossadek....?

Originally Posted by jabbar
Very good observation about Riyad. The way he carries on when the chips are down . He looks like a child sobbing about not getting picked to bowl.

If not Riyad, then who would be the other candidates? Surely not other past captains like Shakib or Mushy... Perhaps a new up and coming player like Mossadek....?

Look, Riyad may not be as good a leader as Mash, but he is still the best choice we have. Shakib and Mushy both were given the captaincy and failed. Tamim- HELL NO. Mosaddek's place in the team is still not guaranteed. Riyad has impressed in BPL with his captaincy nd deserves the shot.

As for Mash's retirement, it's his call really. But I hope, BCB keeps him with the team after his retirement in some other capacity. He is a great motivator.

He is our highest wicket taker in ODIs. Has outperformed every other fast bowlers we have except Mustafiz in the last 2-3 years. Let's cherish and get behind Mash, and he continues playing for Bangladesh. Retirement is absolutely his own call and on his terms.

We have 5 established players, all 28 or older. Fizz will be a regular as always, but no young cricketer in the current side is by any means irreplacable.

Sabbir, Soumya, Taskin, you name it. This is something worrisome. I think management hasn't done a great job in dealing with the likes of Anamul, Mominul. Sohag Gazi came in and whithered away after a change in bowling action.

Originally Posted by MHRAM
Surprised we don't have any established young cricketer in the side!

We have 5 established players, all 28 or older. Fizz will be a regular as always, but no young cricketer in the current side is by any means irreplacable.

Sabbir, Soumya, Taskin, you name it. This is something worrisome. I think management hasn't done a great job in dealing with the likes of Anamul, Mominul. Sohag Gazi came in and whithered away after a change in bowling action.

TAskin, SAbbir are not established young limited over cricketers ?
Soumya is out of form but it is a matter of time he will break free.